Slaves and Masters

(A)Slaves, be obedient to those who are your [a]masters according to the flesh, with (B)fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, (C)as to Christ; (D)not [b]by way of [c]eye-service, as (E)people-pleasers, but as (F)slaves of Christ, (G)doing the will of God from the [d]heart. With goodwill [e]render service, (H)as to the Lord, and not to people, (I)knowing that (J)whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, (K)whether slave or free.

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 6:5 I.e., earthly masters, as in first-century Roman culture
  2. Ephesians 6:6 Lit according to
  3. Ephesians 6:6 I.e., only when the master is watching
  4. Ephesians 6:6 Lit soul
  5. Ephesians 6:7 Lit rendering

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect(A) and fear, and with sincerity of heart,(B) just as you would obey Christ.(C) Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ,(D) doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,(E) because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do,(F) whether they are slave or free.

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22 [a](A)Slaves, obey those who are your [b]human masters in everything, (B)not with [c]eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work [d]heartily, (C)as for the Lord and not for people, 24 (D)knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward [e]of (E)the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you (F)serve.

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 3:22 I.e., slaves in first-century Roman culture
  2. Colossians 3:22 Lit masters according to flesh
  3. Colossians 3:22 I.e., working only when watched
  4. Colossians 3:23 Lit from the soul
  5. Colossians 3:24 I.e., consisting of

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance(A) from the Lord as a reward.(B) It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

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